Cat smiles for a pre-prom photo in the heels she achieved with determination and the support of her care team.
Feet flat on the ground, Cat stands in front of a mural.
Standing proud, Cat poses for a photoshoot while on vacation.
From Toe-Walking to High Heels: Cat's Story of Hope and Resilience
While Cat was in physical therapy, she had one goal in mind: to wear heels to prom.
With the care she received at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, she was able to meet that goal.
For as long as she can remember, Cat walked on her toes. What she once believed was a normal part of her development often made everyday tasks, including climbing stairs and walking up ramps, much more difficult. After many evaluations at other healthcare facilities, Cat’s father, Rick, who is a member of Shriners International and Crescent Shriners, suggested Cat make an appointment with the pediatric orthopedic specialists at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia.
Visiting any specialist for the first time can be scary and intimidating, especially for a young teenager who is learning how to navigate life on her own. For Cat, she knew that she was in the right place as soon as she walked into our hospital for her first appointment with Sean Waldron, M.D.
Cat’s first appointment was in March 2025 when she met Dr. Waldron and other providers from our team for the first time. To Cat and her family’s surprise, she received a diagnosis of asymmetrical toe-walking almost immediately after her initial exam. The condition causes a person to walk on the balls of their feet without their heels touching the ground.
Once we got here, it felt like we were in the right place. There is a sense of family there. I remember my doctors the most and feeling safe there. I knew I was in the best hands.
While there are different treatment options for asymmetrical toe-walking, including long-term physical therapy and surgery, Cat decided that surgery was best for her. In November 2025 she underwent bilateral percutaneous Achilles lengthening, a minimally invasive procedure that stretches tight Achilles tendons so the foot can rest flat on the ground. Post-surgery, Cat was in casts for a month and then braces to aid in recovery.
When Cat’s surgery day came, she remembered being nervous, but as soon as she arrived and met her surgery team, her nerves eased. From the welcoming, calm and fun post-anesthesia care unit team to choosing cast and brace patterns with the Pediatric Orthotic and Prosthetic Services team, Cat found every step of the experience positive. Even Dr. Waldron was excited to perform her surgery. “Where else do you see that besides Shriners Children’s?” Cat said.
After a successful surgery and recovery period, Cat visited Shriners Children’s Philadelphia for follow-up appointments with Dr. Waldron and for physical therapy with Taylor Alejo, PT, DPT, PCS.
“Cat worked extremely hard in and outside of physical therapy to be able to return to all activities as soon as she could. She is now back to hiking and traveling without limitations,” said Taylor.
Cat’s full recovery took about six months, and today she walks typically and has even achieved her goal of wearing heels to prom, proving that with hard work and determination, she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to.
When asked what she would tell other patients about visiting our hospital for the first time, Cat's advice is simple: Don't be afraid. She said she would not be where she is today without Dr. Waldron and the team at Shriners Children’s Philadelphia.
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